KZ-Memorial Dachau
"Dachau - the significance of this name will never be erased from German history. It stands for all concentration camps which the Nazis established in their territory." (Eugen Kogon)
In 1933, Heinrich Himmler established the first German Concentration Camp in Dachau. The rules and organisation, as well as the separation of high security prisoners and the SS-command area, set up by the first Camp Commander Theodor Eicke were later used as a model for all the other German Concentration Camps. In the beginning political opponents of the regime were imprisoned here. In the following years new groups were deported to Dachau: these included Jews, homosexuals, gypsies, members of the Jehovah's Witness, and priests. The Camp, originally planned for only 5.000 prisoners, eventually held as many as 200.000 people over the 12 years that it was in use. The prisoners were forced to work - mostly in the German arms industry - under inhuman conditions or were abused for experiments on humans. Well over 30.000 people were killed or died on transports, through epidemics, torture or mass executions.
On the 29th of April 1945, the Dachau Concentration Camp was liberated by units of the US-Army.
After the war, the camp was turned into a memorial. As well as visiting the prisoner’s quarters, the crematorium and the Bunker, one can also see many pictures and film documentaries.
Tue - Sun: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm, free entrance
www.kz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de